Party planner Bronson van Wyck shares his tips for stylish, festive home decorating

Bronson van Wyck and Tom Dunn

Bronson van Wyck and Tom Dunn

New Yorkers who haven’t had the good fortune of attending a party thrown by President Obama or Vera Wang can now experience the thrill of an environment created by party-planner Bronson van Wyck. His holiday pop-up shop at Overbey & Dunn is a treasure trove, packed to the seams with taxidermy and handpicked antiques, with tartan-covered walls and a grand tree lit up by over 2,500 lights and stunning vintage ornaments.

“These are my favorite things,” says van Wyck, who is selling holiday staples with a twist, such as gilded magnolia wreaths and his “Hellfire Club” Bloody Mary mix.

Visitors looking to bring the fun home can hire his crew to deliver their tree (ceiling specific, of course), string it with lights, and hang the greenery all in one visit. Can’t make it in but still want to capture the spirit? We caught up with van Wyck for some of his tried-and-true ideas on decking the halls.

Christmas Tree

Christmas Tree

ELLE DECOR: In many households, it’s all about the tree. How do you select the right evergreen for your space?BRONSON VAN WYCK: First of all -- the taller the better. As for the type of tree, I love blue spruces for rooms decorated in cool colors, or in a spot with natural light, since the blue tones in sunlight play so well with the silvery sheen of the needles. Anywhere else, I almost always use a Douglas fir.

ED: How many trees are in your home?BVW: In my house I usually have two or three trees. I’ll have the one that we put all the presents under with all of the old ornaments, then I’ll have a few statement trees to create sort of a look when you come in. Last year it was white taxidermy birds. I’m thinking about golden apples this year. Sometimes the most ordinary things, used en masse, can be the most beautiful.